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International support measures for LDCs

The least developed country (LDC) category was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1971 as a result of the acknowledgment by the international community that special support measures were needed to assist the least developed among the developing countries. The LDCs were defined as countries with a low level of income and structural impediments to growth and requiring special measures to address those problems. While there is some overlap with the group of “low-income economies” as defined by the World Bank, several LDCs are classified as middle income economies.  The Committee for Development Policy (CDP) reviews the LDC category regularly based on predetermined criteria. There are currently 46 LDCs, some of which are set to leave (“graduate from”) the category soon.

International support measures (ISMs) have been developed for LDCs in the context of international agreements and organizations as well as by individual countries, educational institutions and others. LDCs have also participated actively in south-south cooperation.  ISMs are mostly in the areas of of trade; development cooperation; and support for participation in United Nations and other international forums. As more countries approach graduation, there has been increasing emphasis in securing support for a smooth transition out of the category. This portal contains information on these international support measures, as well as relevant news and analysis.

Trade-related international support for LDCs

The international community has committed to supporting the goal of integrating the LDCs into the multilateral trading system and increasing their participation in world markets. Trade-related international support measures (ISMs) for LDCs include preferential market access for goods, preferential market access for services and service suppliers, special treatment regarding obligations under WTO rules and certain regional agreements, and technical assistance and capacity-building.

Financial and technical assistance for LDCs

Multilateral and bilateral development partners support LDCs through a range of financial and technical assistance mechanisms. While development cooperation country programmes are designed based on a combination of factors including income levels, creditworthiness, specific needs and vulnerabilities, and cultural and historical ties, certain support measures are available exclusively to LDCs and to countries that have recently graduated from the category.

LDCs in international forums

Support measures are in place to help LDCs participate in United Nations processes and other international forums: caps and discounts on the contribution of LDCs to the budgets of United Nations system entities; financial support for travel to General Assembly and other meetings; capacity-building for negotiators; flexibility in reporting requirements under international agreements.

Support to graduating countries

When LDCs meet certain criteria, they are reviewed by the United Nations Committee for Development Policy (CDP) and may be recommended for “graduation” (leaving the LDC category). Graduation is an important milestone in a country’s development. It also means the country will no longer have access to certain international support measures that are exclusive to LDCs. It is therefore important to understand the consequences of graduation and prepare accordingly, by developing and implementing smooth transition strategies.